Saturday, September 14, 2013

Bulls win International League championship

Merrill Kelly and three relievers combined on a two-hitter in Durham's International League championship-clinching 7-0 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox on Saturday.

Kelly gave up both hits over six innings before Jeff Beliveau, Steve Geltz and Adam Liberatore finished. Kelly had seven of the Bulls' 11 strikeouts.

Kevin Kiermaier hit a two-run home run in the second inning to give the Bulls a 3-0 lead. He added a single, a second run scored and a third RBI. Mike Fontenot tripled, singled, had an RBI and scored twice.

Durham won its fourth International League championship (2002, '03, '09, '13).

The Bulls will play for the Triple-A national championship Tuesday in Allentown, Pa. Omaha and Salt Lake were playing the fourth game of the Pacific Coast League title series Saturday. Omaha entered with a 2-1 series lead.